The Florida Conference is home to hundreds of local churches, ministries, clergy and lay members dedicated to making a difference in the world. Check out the stories below to see how they are sharing ideas and making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
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Allendale ministry helps less fortunate
The ministry is organized and headed by a coalition between the United Methodist Women and United Methodist Cooperative Ministries Suncoast.
Church teaches youth to value selves, others, then lead
A new ministry at Harvest United Methodist Church helps teens identify their gifts and strengths, value the gifts and strengths of others and lead by example.
Old camper turns into housing relief
As Rachel read stories of homes destroyed in Panama City, Mexico Beach and elsewhere from Hurricane Michael, God whispered in her ear: Why not spruce up the trailer and donate it to the relief effort to provide housing for those in dire need?
Pub group takes the Word outside church walls
The group is populated primarily by church members who don't enjoy traditional Bible study and former members who are willing to re-engage and give the church a second, less-traditional look.
First Dunedin shows ecumenical teamwork power
The ecumenical Thanksgiving service is just one of the church’s commitments to its community.
Love is at the heart of Keystone's anniversary
Keystone UMC celebrated its 150th anniversary on Nov. 18.
Inaugural 'Fall for Naples' event fun for all
North Naples Church held its first Fall for Naples event on Oct. 20 on the grounds of the church and The Village School.
Through the Roof Ministries
Through the Roof is a special-needs ministry of The United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches, and it works with people from many churches throughout the area. Phyllis Parthemer heads the ministry, ...
Broadway UMC donates pet fire rescue equipment
Broadway UMC in Orlando provides all area fire engines with the latest equipment to save an animal's life.
First, Seffner, starts a band for school
The church has also partnered with Instruments of Change, which successfully started four other school bands in Hillsborough County. The program is designed to teach students more than just how to play a musical instrument.
Cedar Key prayer angels bless 4,600 worldwide
The angels are cut and sewn from the uniforms of military personnel who have been deployed and returned safely.
A little church makes big miracles
A tiny old church tucked in the heart of downtown St. Cloud is accomplishing huge things for the area’s downtrodden. Pastor Wilma Reyes of First United Methodist Church calls their ministries nothing short of a miracle.
Collaborative masterpieces: Families paint together at church
A special evening of fellowship and painting dubbed by First Lakeland as Paint Night is bringing families together for some wholesome, church fun.
School supplies bring joy to teachers and church members
The need at Sandy Lane Elementary was greater than normal, and that’s when church member Faye Williams sprang into action to make sure that urgent need was met.
Mission in Guyana from Essequibo to Lake Capoey
In July, a team of five representatives from First UMC of Fort Lauderdale spent a week in Guyana doing what Senior Pastor Jill Auman called “renewing our commitment” to the Ruimveldt Children’s Home and Care Center.
North Naples camp instills spirit of service, volunteerism
Since 2015, the aim of the camp has been to instill a spirit of service and volunteerism in children, beyond what a regular Vacation Bible School experience could do.
Pompano Beach ministry brings God’s love to those in need
Love in Action Pompano Beach volunteers serve a hot meal each Sunday to more than 200 people from the surrounding community.
Summer Salad gatherings offer women fellowship
It all started when church member Suzanne Tedder realized the women attending the weekly Bible study were having a bit of summer cabin fever, eager to escape the chaos of running the kids here, there and everywhere.
'Shopping for a Mission' fills Jacksonville pantry
Many generous participants of all ages from Beach Church in Jacksonville went on a special shopping trip to help restock BEAM's (Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry) food pantry.
Port Orange Girl Scouts fight hunger
A year after the girls organized and built an outdoor food pantry at First United Methodist Church of Port Orange, the service project continues to meet the needs of the surrounding neighborhood.
Kids worship in 'prayground' at First UMC Lakeland
A special section in the back of the fellowship center is reserved for babies, toddlers and children up to 8 years old so they can play quietly and still participate in the service.
Churches assist families devastated by fire
On June 24, a planned brush fire burned out of control, destroying the homes of 36 families and 1,000 acres in Eastpoint, a community of about 2,300.
Sustaining community support in summer a challenge
About six months after the holidays, food pantries tend to be a little bare. And with school about to start, institutions with mostly students from low-income homes are in dire need of supplies.
New Horizon pastor honored for fighting child hunger
HandsOn Broward presented New Horizon UMC’s Rev. Peytyn Tobin with its 2018 Changemaker Award at the nonprofit’s annual Youth Impact Awards in early May.
Honoring Rev. Tom Derrough
Venice-based writer Ed Scott remembers a life-changing mission trip to Uganda over 10 years ago led by Rev. Derrough, who passed away on June 30.
First Melbourne moving into the future
First United Methodist Church of Melbourne is embarking on a major construction project that will radically transform the historic church.
Slimed for a cause
Getting slimed has become a tradition at Palm Harbor UMC.
University Carillon named business partner of the year
The church was named Business Partner of the Year by the Florida Department of Education Commissioners Business Recognition Awards.
North Naples hosts music camp for Collier students
The camp, which ran from June 4-14, has been ongoing for the past 15 years. It concluded its fourth year at the North Naples Church campus.
Missionary couple moves where God needs them
Bill and Laura Roy of St. John UMC, Sebring, will go wherever they are called to serve the church.
Team Grace Cycling rides for those impacted by MS
Team Grace is a group of friends, neighbors and families from all over the central Florida area. This year, the team raised more than $45,000.
A Life Well-Marked: Counselor finds blessings through obedience
Burt Bennett of Alva (Florida) United Methodist Church encourages others to be fully present with people and show genuine care and interest.
Tomoka UMW helps out Daytona Beach pregnancy center
In May, the United Methodist Women donated a Pack and Play crib filled to the brim with baby supplies — diapers, onesies, knitted things and supplies.
Beach Church seeking leaders for the future
“We have a huge desire to invest in the next generation, and we want to develop a pipeline of ministerial staff that can be part of our church, a campus we start in the future or in another church.” —Pastor Carey Sumner
Five months after donating a kidney, Rev. Williamson ran the Boston Marathon
Steady headwind with gusts of 30 mph, 40-degree temps, unceasing rain and even a kidney donation couldn't stop him from hitting the pavement.
First deaf persons to complete Certified Lay Servant training
Billy and Mary Ann Deters, a couple from St. Andrew UMC in Titusville became the first deaf persons from the Florida Conference to complete the UMC Advanced Certified Lay Servant training.
Church partnership: an olive branch for the whole community
Despite a tense history of racism within the Wildwood community, two churches partner in worship setting an example for healing and positive change.
Irma survivor has reason to smile
The April celebration brought an amazing collection of people together who had combined their efforts to help the couple.
First Sebring opens 24-7 prayer room
Senior Pastor David Juliano and his wife, Alison, spearheaded the drive to create this unique non-stop prayer meeting, which ultimately will serve the community at large, not just the church.
Brews & Hebrews offers taste of spiritual Scripture
With a new influx of millennials joining its congregation, San Marco Church in Jacksonville started holding its Sunday night bible study, Brews and Hebrews, at a local microbrewery. Many stay long after the brew glasses are empty.
New Covenant partners with Kids Central
In April 2018, a blue pinwheel garden was planted off U.S. Highway 301 in Wildwood, the results of a church partnership with Kids Central raising awareness for National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Despite Irma, the cross shines brightly from San Marco's steeple
While still in the throes of major renovations to their hurricane-damaged church property, this Jacksonville church continued finding ways to serve the surrounding community.
An ambitious day of community outreach
Around thirty Edgewater UMC volunteers arrived eager to help out for "Edgewater-North Port Serve Day." There was ample work to be done. Together they tackled three projects proclaiming the gospel through the day's good deeds.
Da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' brought to life
On Maundy Thursday every even year, North Naples Church brings Da Vinci's most famous painting to life. "The Last Supper Alive" is a dramatic worship service that provides a unique way to experience the reactions that Leonardo da Vinci painted.
Photo journey of young adult mission to Haiti
Stricken by natural disasters, political unrest and poverty, the island nation of Haiti needs compassionate outreach. Taking up the call, Beach Church Jacksonville invited young adults to join them on a trip to help Haiti.
United Methodists wash feet, feed souls
On Palm Sunday, Pompano Beach Chapel held an annual foot-washing for the homeless community.
Palm Coast reaches out to Mongolia
Described as a multicultural congregation, Palm Coast UMC recently enjoyed a visit from Dr. Soon Hoon Chung, president of Huree University in Mongolia. The result was a "love offering" that collected $1,300 to provide hot meals for students.
La Gonave Island pastor visits N. Naples, Carlson Memorial
Pastor Jean-Jacques Agones of La Gonave Island, Haiti, recently visited North Naples UMC and Carlson Memorial in LaBelle to describe how mission groups in his country have changed lives that were once considered the "poorest of the poor."
Rev. Sean Peters – Embracing God’s Surprises
Rev. Sean Peters shares about his surprising journey from the world of theater to the world of church planting, what it means to embrace the people that God sends to you, and his story of healing from closing one church to planting a new one.
Job turnover is zero among homeless employees at Tampa's Portico Cafe
Hyde Park UMC's Portico Café does more than serve coffee and baked goods. Hiring several individuals who were either homeless or were re-entering the workforce after serving prison sentences, there has been zero turnover since it opened in May, 2017.